Name:

James Buchan.

Age:

30.

What is your business called?

Zudu.

Where is it based?

Dundee

What services does it offer?

Our services include digital consultancy, user experience design, the development of apps and websites and digital marketing.

To whom does it sell?

We have worked predominantly across the healthcare, finance, recruitment and fast moving consumer goods sectors.

Notable projects we have worked on include the CCard – a condom card - app for NHS Tayside, which won a Digital Health and Care award for app development earlier this year.

This involved building Scotland’s first ever Condom distribution app, aimed at people aged 16 to 24 years old. The project used gamification, smart analytics and cryptography to educate young people about sex and foster safe, consensual relationships whilst safeguarding their sexual health by providing access to free condoms.

We also developed Talbase, an avatar-led interviewing software. More recently, we have started working with Keith Brewery to promote its beer in China via the creation of a WeChat platform and omnichannel promotion. We have helped it to develop an anti-counterfeit solution through the use of QR Code labels on the bottles which also helps with Supply Chain visibility.

What is its turnover?

£350,000.

How many employees?

Eight.

When was it formed?

May 2014

Why did you take the plunge?

From an early age I always wanted to start my own business and change some big things in the world. Innovation in business is having the biggest impact on technological advancement and I want to be at the forefront of these changes.

In mid-2013 I was busy progressing through my career path in some fantastic locations, but it just wasn’t satisfying enough working for other people and pouring my passion into something which wasn’t my end goal. I finally decided to put myself to the ultimate test on my 26th birthday in August 2013

I went through several concepts from a half-developed blockchain platform to an events-based app before landing on the idea of an innovation-focused digital agency.

What were you doing before you took the plunge?

I was working in London, the US and Japan as a Data Analyst and Project Manager for a company which developed big data platforms for retailers.

How did you raise the start-up funding?

I saved up a significant amount from my previous role after taking a bonus to work an additional three months in Japan. We also received a £5,000 start-up loan from the Prince’s Trust, obtained research and development funding from Scottish Enterprise and won a Scottish Edge Wild Card grant for Talbase.

What was your biggest break?

When we started working with Sexual Health Tayside on the condom card in late 2015 after we saw a guy standing with a big red-letter C outside the office. Our random plan at the time was to build a giant ZUDU sign, so we decided to ask him how he constructed his giant C. It turned out it was hepatitis C day, so we went back and did some social media posting to promote the day. A few weeks later they asked us to submit a proposal for their latest public tender project.

What do you most enjoy about running the business?

Every new project brings an interesting challenge and it is fantastic to see the company grow. We have a great culture at Zudu and I want to ensure this does not disappear as we expand.

What are your ambitions for the business?

Over the next two and a half years we want to grow revenue to £1m plus and employ at least 10 staff in the UK. Whilst continuing to grow our service company we also want to grow closer to a China-focused tech offering and also to build and monetise our own tech products such as Talbase.

How do you relax?

Doing business is my passion and this drives me in life, but I know it is important to take time out to set the mind free. I play rugby with a local team up to three times a week and like to hang out with my friends and girlfriend. I’m also learning ukulele and Mandarin, in the hope of speaking to my girlfriend’s parents in their own language sometime soon.